Author: Rich Frazier

Sometimes, jumping on the trampoline isn’t about jumping. AMPassador Rich Frazier explores how a backyard fun and being an active member of his music booster group have improved his relationship with his music student, and how you can use his realization to make both your family and your booster organization stronger.

Over the holidays, my wife and I took the kids to Disneyland and California Adventure along with 50,000 of our closest friends. Apparently there were a lot of band families there as well, judging by the number of Tournament of Roses Parade shirts and jackets we saw.

I’m curious to hear from other booster clubs: Who does the fundraising in your organization? An interesting question has come upregarding the money we are raising for next year’s Ireland trip: how does that money get distributed? Is it doled out evenly among all the kids going or is it distributed only to those who are involved in fundraising efforts?

I watch too much television. I freely admit that. Lately, I’ve become interested in the “X –Factor” and I’ve started wondering if maybe growing up in an exhibitionist society where people constantly display their talents for public criticism isn’t all bad. I’m talking about the unique opportunities available for those who want to share their story.

Today’s generation of youth – often referred to as the i-Generation – have become accustomed to watching otherwise unknowns getting discovered on YouTube by Ellen DeGeneres or becoming celebrities through televised talent searches.

It’s fascinating to watch. Sometimes it’s like a fairytale. Sometimes it’s like watching a train wreck. But maybe the proliferation of talent being displayed on electronic media is teaching our kids it’s OK to step out of their comfort zone. Not a bad thing.

When band mom Lisa first brought up the idea of a giant rummage sale back in June, I thought it was a good idea. I didn’t know it would be a GREAT idea. Lisa’s perseverance is paying big dividends for the band and is proving the old adage (paraphrased) “One man’s junk is another band’s treasure!”

As we parents continue to raise money for the Hamilton High School Marching Band’s trip to Ireland next August, Lisa knew exactly what she wanted and how to get there. Negotiating with school administrators for the use of the parking lot on a weekend in September was the first step. Then she negotiated with Chick-fil-A to sell food at the event and donate 20% of the proceeds. Now to get the “junk”.

In the beginning, it seemed like a good idea and I promise, it was with the best intentions. But some things, I guess, just don’t change.

I’m talking about trying to organize the band, football, cheer and ROTC boosters to work together to raise money for the trip to Ireland they are taking next August. As I’ve told you, my son, Jack, will be an incoming freshman in band and I volunteered to help strategize fundraising efforts.

At first, I really thought we had a chance to bring down some barriers.…

We talk a lot about the value of music and arts programs in our schools. About the life skills learned: leadership, teamwork and responsibility. I want to talk about something much simpler: lasting friendships and a pure love of music.

In the late 1960’s two young men entered the U.S. Naval Academy at the same time. Their friendship started while playing alongside each other in the Navy’s Drum and Bugle Corps and it grew during their Academy days. After graduation, they maintained their friendship and each went on to distinguished careers as military pilots. In a tragic twist of fate, Charles Burlingame and Frank Culbertson, Jr. each played a unique role in one of our nation’s darkest days.

The economic realities of the past few years has made fundraising very difficult. But it’s not impossible. Be innovative and think outside the box. Americans still support those things we believe in. As volunteer fundraisers, we just have to make it easier for them to do so.

Find out how one dad faced the reality of fundraising for a once-in-a-lifetime Ireland trip.

Call it naïve, but when we arrived at the meeting with the band director, booster president and other parents, what I expected to hear was: “We’re going to Ireland! Here’s what the school is paying for and here is what your share is.”